flying into ho chi minH... first impressions... war remnants museum... cu chi tunnels... linh... night out in dalat... a french and finnish encounter... cuisine... libations
Vietnamese cuisine is some of the most respected food in the world. This lucky American has visited the land where soup, pronounced like “FUH,” is eaten for breakfast and the most complete dishes demand sweetness, spice, tang, and texture in every bite. Seem backwards?
Phở is more than meets the eye. It's the product of thousands of years of traditional recipes, passed down, and honed to perfection. Not just a simple chicken broth, phở takes days of brewing and seasoning. Handmade noodles add substance. Fish, meat, and poultry make it hearty. Bean sprouts, lettuce, basil, mint, and chili peppers add texture and kick. The Vietnamese eat phở, crouched next to the mornings work, at home with family, and at cafes across the country. In The States we might come across the occasional phở at an ex-pat's restaurant. We'll sit down, struggling with chopsticks, taste the hot broth, and consider, only briefly, the place from where this dish hails. For most of us, Vietnam can be shortened to just 'Nam. Its story has just one plot line: war and desolation. Americans can enjoy the robust, complex flavors packed into a bowl of phở, while ignoring its motherland. Vietnam is more than a culinary powerhouse or war ravaged land. Việt Nam has entered the twenty first century in stride. Veterans can rest assured it’s no longer crawling with Charlie. The Apocalypse Now image depicting the "asshole of the world" couldn't be further from the truth. Vietnam features bustling cities, sprawling farmland, and a diverse, resilient population.
Let’s not get fooled by a false ending in 1975: Vietnam is still writing its story.